TRADE IN GOD’S HOUSE

MBABANE – In a rare occurrence, the sale of a vehicle is being advertised on church premises.The Isuzu van is a 2007 model.

It is being advertised at the entrance to the Mater Dolorosa Church hall in Mbabane.The sellers have strategically placed an advertisement placard with information about the vehicle, just adjacent to the door of the main entrance to the church building.

This has not gone down very well with some Christians who attend services in the church.They said this is against the principles of religion and that the Bible was against selling in church.

They have discussed this issue among themselves but have not approached the church elders about it yet. One of them said members of the church were unhappy about the selling of the car in the premises because the church leadership seemingly sanctioned it.

Meanwhile, Father Jochonia Thayela Mahazule, leader of the Mbabane parish of the Catholic Church, said he authorised the sale of the car in the premises.He said the car belonged to the cathedral.

It was being sold as part of the church’s move to replace an ageing fleet of vehicles which were used by the church leadership. He said funds accrued from the sale were going to be used to finance other projects associated with God’s ministry.

He defended the decision to allow the sale by saying the car belonged to the pool of vehicles for the church. He said, therefore, there was nothing wrong with its sale on the premises.